Steaming hot khichuri on the feet, and fried hilsa fish. Nothing compares to this luxury of Bengalis on a rainy day. But this season, the shortage of hilsa imports has become an obstacle to this pleasure. The common man is burning his hands when he goes to the market. Even after paying 800 to 1300 taka per kg, depending on the size, he does not get that familiar taste. According to fish traders, the desired quantity of fish is not available in the rivers and seas. The price has increased due to the shortage of supply.
So, will Bengalis eat hilsa or not? Of course they will. However, do not get cheated by buying fish at a high price. Because, since the price of hilsa is high at this time, unscrupulous traders can trick you into putting rotten hilsa in your market bag. Therefore, when you go to buy hilsa in the market, you must keep a few things in mind. Otherwise, there is a high chance of getting cheated.
How to choose the best hilsa?
(1) Pay attention to the exterior of the fish. Fresh hilsa has a silvery sheen and a light pink or reddish tint. However, traders often use artificial colors. So, check the fish carefully before putting it in the bag.
(2) The physical structure of the hilsa is very important. The shape of a pure and delicious hilsa is much like a patol. The head and tail will be narrow. And the belly part will be wide and swollen. The body gradually becomes wide after the ears. This shape of hilsa contains more oil and has an incomparable taste.
(3) You should look at the fish’s eyes and gills. The eyes of a fresh fish will be completely clear and bright. They will have a slight reddish tint inside. If the eyes are cloudy, you should understand that the fish is stale. In addition, bright red gills are a sign of freshness.
(4) Pay attention to the color of the blood while cutting the fish. Fresh hilsa oozes bright red blood. But if the blood looks black or dark brown, it is clear that the fish has been kept in ice for a long time. The taste of such fish naturally decreases. If you are careful and follow these rules in the monsoon market, it is not difficult to identify the best hilsa.